It was decided that Raden would stay in a deep sleep until his injury showed significant improvement. That's what Lorcán declared to the staff of the castle. Between him and Deimos, it was to keep Raden from doing something idiotic. So the healers continued their spells and potions.

Weeks had gone by and there was no movement from Serkan or the hoards he led. Lorcán grew worried over the complete silence and Deimos wasn't much better. Though good news did come about. A small legion of arc angels was able to find their way to Ifera and preparations began the moment their feet touched the ground.

Lorcán was in his study one brilliant afternoon looking over correspondence when Deimos appeared.

"Lorcán there may be some problems," Deimos said walking in a bit winded.

"Oh?"

Deimos sat down but then stood up and walked around the room frantically. The anxiety was eating him alive.

"Let me make some tea." Lorcán waved his hand over an empty place on the desk and two cups appeared. Steam rises from each. "Now drink this and tell me what has gotten you in this much of a mess."

He shook his head. "I don't need bloody tea." Deimos paused and looked at Lorcán. "Some of my men have heard rumors from death angels."

Lorcán perked up. He sat the cup down and gave his full attention. "And these rumors are?"

"Merikh is planning something. He apparently has been isolating himself for months now and is about to move. One let slip that he is after the cursed weapon."

The air thickened with tension and a cold chill ran down Lorcán's spine. This would change the entire trajectory of this war. He looked down at all the letters sent by the leaders and king of the eastern kingdom and closed his eyes. If Merikh was to get ahold of Azrael, then who knows what his plan was?

"Is there a way to keep tabs on Merikh?" Lorcán pinched the bridge of his nose.

Deimos slightly nodded his head. "He's given orders to his death angels to search for the weapon. It just so happens that a few have decided to share these details."

"Can they be trusted?"

"I think so. They've proven worthy over the months of fighting alongside my men," Deimos answered. He leaned forward and bounced his knee nervously.

Lorcán nodded. "I wanted any information that comes out of their mouth." Deimos nodded and stood to leave. "Oh, one more thing. Under no circumstances are they to know Raden is here."

"Right."

~~~*~~~

Each day became the same routine for Azrael. She was woken up by two guards given breakfast and then taken to a small room somewhere in this labyrinth. It was a nice room but isolated. No one would visit while Azrael was in there and she was left with a stack of books. Each day the stack would be different. Lunch was served while she was kept in that room. Hours would go by before two guards came to take her back to the cell. Dinner was brought by Serkan each evening. Azrael had grown accustomed to his presence but still kept silent most evenings. This was the routine for weeks now and Azrael was slowly losing hope that Raden was coming for her.

One morning Azrael woke earlier than normal. She heard whispers but shook her head.

Don't go crazy now. We've gotten this far. Azrael thought to herself.

The whispers picked up again and Azrael snapped her head towards the door. Maybe it was soldiers passing by. She strained her hearing but silence fell and she slump down.

Her head fell forward and rested on her knees. You're going crazy.

The whispers picked up again. Only this time they were in the room. Azrael lifted her head listening carefully. It was an odd language. One she couldn't recognize, but something clicked. She almost sprung up from the ground.

"Anéislis," She whispered and a smile grew on her face. "I hear you." The whispers continued and grew faster as if they were excited to have found her. "I'm begin held prisoner by Serkan. I don't know where I am but I'm okay. He hasn't hurt me or touched me." She kept her voice quiet in fear that someone might be listening. "My powers are dampened by spells he's cast here. I need you to find Raden and tell him where I am. He's my only hope of getting out." The whispers wrapped her in an embrace of warmth. She closed her eyes taking it in. It had been the first time in a while she felt this warmth. "Please hurry."

Don't worry. She heard then the whispers vanished and she was left alone again.

The door rattled scaring Azrael. Serkan stalked through the door with a platter of food. It wasn't time for him. Azrael only stared at him.

"Good morning darling." He pushed the platter through to Azrael. "Eat up. We've got things to do today."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Azrael snapped. She folded her arms and glared his way.

Serkan walked through the cell bars as if they weren't there, to begin with. He peered down at her without an emotion slipping through and said, "Eat Azrael."

Azrael shoved the platter away in defiance and looked up at him.

He let out a sigh of frustration and shook his head. Then without warning backhanded Azrael. She grabbed her cheek and held in a cry. She wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"I don't want to hurt you Azrael, but sometimes you are too stubborn for your own good." Serkan folded his arms watching Azrael nurse her cheek. He knelt down turning her chin towards him and studying her cheek. "You'll be fine."

Azrael pulled back and stared at him. Her heart was beating loudly in her ears and she could feel the anger coursing through her veins, but her magic was of no use right now.

Serkan chuckled. "That feeling of anger you have... don't let it vanish. I want you to use it today."

"Where?"

He stood and left the cell. "You better be done eating in ten minutes or you won't be seeing anything else til tomorrow morning."

Azrael stood and leaned on the bars. "Where are you taking me!" He left without another word. "Prick!" She turned back to the spilled food and sighed. Whatever was happening, she better not do it on an empty stomach.

Just like clockwork, Serkan was back this time with two guards. Azrael stepped away from the bars like normal and the two guards entered the cell to shackle her. Serkan nodded to them and grabbed her by the shoulders before pushing her in front of him out the door. Azrael tried memorizing the twist and turns but everything began looking the same. The guards had disappeared as soon as they left the cell room and that left Azrael with Serkan.

Serkan turned a corner and a large iron door stood locked. He waved a hand and the door creaked and moaned. The locks clicked a few times and the door opened to reveal a large open room lit by several torches that lined the walls. Azrael frowned as she was pushed forward into the room. The door closed behind her and Serkan.

She looked over at him as he unlocked the shackles and tossed them to the side. He stepped back and stared at her in silence.

"What?" Azrael was quite confused and annoyed. She folded her arms and stared daggers at Serkan.

"I want to see what you're capable of," He explained, "Do your worst."

Azrael took a minute and it clicked what he wanted. This was her chance. She felt the magic course through her veins and tingle into her finger. She imagined a ball of golden light forming in her hand and as soon as she felt the heat of it she glimpses down. There it was and without another thought, Azrael threw it as hard as she could toward Serkan. He dodged and smiled. Azrael grew angry and formed another and threw it towards him. Again missing.

He vanished from her view but he laughed and could still be heard. Azrael spun around trying to find him. Serkan then appeared leaning against the wall several feet away. Azrael shot a bolt of lightning but Serkan vanished again and it hit the wall causing cracks to form. He reappeared in another place and Azrael repeated again. Again she missed. This went on for several minutes until all she could hear was his taunting laugh. She screamed and covered her ears trying to block out the laughter. The surge of anger she felt sent her to her knees as the familiar surge of magic followed suit. This time she didn't fight the feeling, but let the magic explode into the room. Hoping it found Serkan.

The room shook violently but stood strong. Azrael uncovered her head and all was silent.

"I'm impressed." Azrael whipped around quickly. Serkan tilted her chin up she tried pulling away but grasp her chin firmly. "Someone's been practicing haven't they?"

"Let me go." Azrael pulled away again this time being successful. She paused for a second before turning back and slamming her hand to his chest.

Serkan grabbed her wrist spinning Azrael around and pinning her arm behind her. Azrael let out a yelp of pain. Serkan brushed his lips across her ear causing her to squirm. "I have big plans for you my darling. You'll be unstoppable." He pushed her away and she spun around to face him. Her breathing was heavy and her brain was a bit foggy. "Again."

Azrael was going to kill this asshole even if it meant dying herself.

~~~*~~~

"Can we please call it a day? My everything hurts." A young boy stood on a ledge. He looked over the ledge to the river below. One that he had grown all too familiar with.

Raden sighed as he walked over to the boy. "You're getting so close though." He ruffled the kid's hair. "Just one more go."

The boy looked between Raden and the ledge. "I'd rather not. Mama said she would be back home by sunset." He pointed to the sun. "It's sunset."

Raden let out a chuckle and nodded. "Alright alright. We'll start bright and early tomorrow."

A groan escaped the boy's lips causing Raden to laugh harder.

He picked the boy up and placed him on his shoulders. They had small conversations every now and then as Raden took them back home. Azrael would hopefully be home from the market and they could start dinner. Raden smiled to himself at the thought. It was his favorite part of the day.

Raden had gotten so lost in thought that he had noticed his son had stopped mid-conversation to point something out.

"What?"

"Over there." The boy pointed towards an opening in the woods. "A man was standing over there." Raden set his son down and started walking toward where the man had been standing.

He walked carefully. Each step was purposely placed to make no sound. As he passed a large oak tree, he saw the figure standing patiently.

"Hello, Raden. It's a pleasure meeting you," The figure said.

"How do you know who I am?" Raden stood ready for an attack. He never forgot his training from all those years ago.

The figure tilted his hooded head. "Azrael never mentioned me? That's quite odd."

"Azrael doesn't do business with people like yourself. Now I suggest you get lost," Raden warned. His fear was growing not for himself but for his son that was still at the tree line.

"Azrael sent me for you."

Raden shook his head and grabbed the hilt of his sword. "Azrael should be back at the cabin. So why are you really here?"

The figure slowly floated closer until Raden pulled his sword out. "Azrael is in the hands of Serkan, Raden. All of this is a dream." His voice was calm and soothing, but Raden wasn't buying it. "This is all a creation of your own."

"You follow me home and I'll gut you," Raden warned before turning back and hurrying to his son.

The boy looked up with worry. "Is everything okay?"

"Just walk." Raden grabbed his hand and pulled him along in a rush. He would look over his shoulder every now and then to make sure they weren't being followed. The figure had disappeared.

Raden's son slipped his hand from his father's and stopped in his tracks. Raden turned back and saw his son's face had gone completely blank. He knelt down grabbed the boy's face gently in his hands and shook him.

"Nico." Nothing. "Nico, what's wrong with you?"

The boy began speaking in another language. One Raden hadn't heard before or so he thought. Raden took a step back and the whispers erupted around him. He closed his eyes trying to make them stop but they only grew louder and louder. Raden opened his eyes again and this time the hooded figure stood with his coal-stained hands resting on the boy's shoulders. Then everything clicked.

"Anéislis." It was as if a fog had been lifted and Raden could think straight.

Anéislis nodded. "You've been in this sleep state for quite some time. Azrael has set me for you."

"Where is she?"

"Let's get you out of this dream and I'll send you on your way. Follow the whispers and they'll show you the way," Anéislis explained. He paused and looked around at the sunny forest. "This was quite a nice dream you conjured up. Maybe someday this will be your reality." Anéislis looked back to Raden and nodded.

Everything around Raden swirled and vanished leaving him in pitch-black darkness. Voices began muffled but soon grew louder and clearer. The light hit Raden's face and he finally opened his eyes fully.